WO2017158687A1

WO2017158687A1 - Sample container and automatic sample container processing system

Info

Publication number: WO2017158687A1
Application number: PCT/JP2016/057991
Authority: WO
Inventors: 上山　幸夫
Original assignee: 神戸バイオロボティクス株式会社
Priority date: 2016-03-14
Filing date: 2016-03-14
Publication date: 2017-09-21
Also published as: JPWO2017158687A1; USD980451S1; EP3293523B1; CN107683415A; EP3293523A1; US20180154359A1; EP3293523A4; JP6220464B1; CN107683415B; USD1006250S1

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a sample container that makes two-dimensional code printing and wireless IC chip installation possible with low interference between the two and ensures data reading and writing accuracy and data reliability. [Solution] A sample container provided with a tube body 120 for accommodating a sample and a lid 110 for sealing a top opening of the tube body. A writing area 124 on which writing information can be written is set in a peripheral part of the bottom surface 123 of the tube body 123 and a non-writing area 125 on which the writing information cannot be written is set in a central part of the bottom surface of the tube body. A plurality of print codes 130 are printed in the writing area 124. The sizes of the external shapes of the print codes are small, and the amount of information that can be carried by each print code is smaller than the amount of writing information. The result obtained from the code information held by each of the print codes 130 using a prescribed algorithm is equivalent to the writing information.

Description

Sample storage body and sample storage body automatic processing system

The present invention relates to a sample storage body used for storing and storing a large number of samples. The sample storage body has, for example, uses for storing and storing drug discovery samples in the drug discovery field, and for storing and storing samples and specimens that hold genetic information such as DNA in the medical field. Miniaturization is progressing and it is sometimes called a microtube.
Further, according to the present invention, the sample storage body is automatically attached (capper), the lid is automatically removed (decapper), and the sample storage body is grasped and moved from a predetermined position to another predetermined position by a robot arm or the like. The present invention relates to an automatic machine that automatically performs transportation work and the like.

In research and development of pharmaceuticals and chemicals, storing and storing a large number of samples in a storage tube is widely performed. For example, a large number of samples whose conditions and composition are changed little by little for comparative control experiments are produced and stored and stored while managing them over a necessary period.
As described above, a large number of types of samples are stored and stored at the same time. In the conventional technology, a well plate type sample storage tube block type and a number of micro tube type sample storage tubes are arranged. Two types of sample storage systems are known which are microtube arrays arranged in storage racks.

The micro tube array type stores and stores small sample storage bodies called individual micro tubes arranged in an array on a storage rack. Microtubes are plastic storage tubes with a height of several centimeters. Each tube is independent, and can be used alone or as a sample storage body, or stored in an array on a storage rack. By doing so, it can also be used as a microtube array for storing and storing a large number of samples at the same time.
Microtubes are plastic storage tubes with a height of several centimeters. Each tube is independent, and can be used alone or as a sample storage body, or stored in an array on a storage rack. By doing so, it can also be used as a microtube array for storing and storing a large number of samples at the same time.
The microtube has a structure including an opening on the upper surface and a sample storage body that can store a sample therein, and a lid that firmly seals the upper surface opening of the sample storage body that stores the sample.

In the case of a microtube array, since each microtube is an independent sample storage body, it is necessary to individually identify each storage body. Attention has been focused on a technique of writing a bar code or a two-dimensional code in which management information is encoded, and reading and managing the bar code or the two-dimensional code in the management process.
In recent years, IC chips capable of wireless communication such as RFID have been miniaturized, and technology for reading and writing various data and management information related to a sample stored by attaching the IC chip to the surface of a microtube array or embedding it inside. Is also attracting attention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-158450) of a microtube on which conventional code information is printed. (A) is a perspective view, and (b) is a developed view for easy understanding of the mechanism.
In this configuration example, the sample storage body 10 includes a transparent tube 11 inside, an exterior body 12 attached to the outside thereof, a packing 13 that comes into contact with an upper surface opening of the tube, and a lid body 14. Yes. The lid body 14 is screwed together with the exterior body 12, and the packing 13 is pressed against the upper surface opening of the tube 11 by the inner surface of the lid body 14 and sealed.

Here, the exterior body 12 is formed of a black resin material that develops white color with laser light, and a one-dimensional barcode is printed on the side surface and a two-dimensional dot code is printed on the bottom surface. After the sample is put into the microtube and sealed, a barcode, a two-dimensional code or the like that encodes the microtube 10 or management information for specifying the sample is written on the side surface and the bottom surface of the exterior body 12.
In recent years, the operation of the microtube has been automated by a robot arm or the like, and the attachment of the lid (capper) and the removal of the lid (decapper) have also been automated. Also, automation is progressing for transporting a microtube from a predetermined position of a rack to a predetermined position of another rack. At that time, the code information on the side surface and bottom surface is read to identify individual microtubes, and automation processing is executed.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a microtube (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-215078) on which a wireless IC chip such as a conventional RFID is mounted. The upper figure is a side view of the whole, and the lower figure is an enlarged view near the bottom. A part of the interior is drawn with a dotted line so that the internal structure is easy to understand.
An IC chip 3 is embedded in the vicinity of the bottom surface of the tube main body 1, and its periphery is surrounded by a base wall 10 and sealed by a sealing portion 13. The IC chip 3 can write and read data via wireless of a specific wavelength, and can read and write without contact.

JP 2001-158450 A JP 2011-215078 A

¡The miniaturization of micro tubes is progressing. This is because by using a small microtube, a large number of microtubes can be stored in the rack, and the internal volume of an expensive refrigerated storage device or frozen storage device can be effectively utilized. Since the analysis technique for the sample is improved and the amount of the sample stored in the inside is small, the microtube is downsized. For this reason, visible information such as numbers cannot be carried on the surface, and reading / writing of printed code information or information by accessing a wireless IC chip is fundamental.

Here, the contents of automatic processing for microtubes are also diversified. Various automatic operations such as lid attachment (capper), lid removal (decapper), removal of the microtube from the rack, transport of the microtube, storage of the microtube in the rack, and loading / recovery into the sample analyzer It will be handled by the machine. Each time, the microtube must be accessed and specified individually, but the read / write processing mechanism of the microtube carrying information of the automatic machine needs to be unified according to the type of the microtube. That is, if the two-dimensional code as shown in FIG. 15 is printed on the microtube, it is necessary to unify it into a system equipped with a read / write processing mechanism for printed code information using laser light. Conversely, if the microtube is equipped with a wireless IC chip as shown in FIG. 16, it is necessary to unify it into a system equipped with a mechanism for reading and writing information by accessing the wireless IC chip.

However, in many systems on the market, some manufacturers focus on code information read / write processing devices using laser light, while others focus on wireless IC chip read / write processing using radio waves. It is in a situation where it is difficult to freely stock products with good performance.
Therefore, there is a demand for providing both a printing code and a wireless IC chip on the bottom surface of the microtube.

However, there is a problem that both cannot be simply provided.
The first problem is a problem of heat generation during writing by laser light.
The printing code develops the color former kneaded into the plastic resin by the heat generated by the laser beam irradiation. For this reason, it is necessary to dispose the wireless IC chip away from the printing code.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a structural example when the arrangement of both is intentionally overlapped at the center.
As shown in FIG. 8, a print code 30 such as a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code is printed on the surface of the microtube 20, and a wireless IC chip 40 is embedded under the surface.
Here, the thickness d of the plastic resin between the print code 30 and the wireless IC chip 40 is small, but the microtube is becoming smaller and has a large limit in the height direction, and the thickness d cannot be secured so much. It is a situation that must be thin.
As shown in FIG. 8B, when laser irradiation is performed on the surface of the bottom surface to develop a color of a plastic resin material kneaded with a color former, heat is generated although it is localized for color development. Since the thickness d to the wireless IC chip is thin below the surface, the heat generated by the laser light is conducted. The wireless IC chip is vulnerable to heat, and may be damaged by heat generated by the laser beam or reliability may be reduced.
After all, the wireless IC chip must be provided separately from the print code, and there is a limitation that both cannot be placed in the center.

The second problem is that, according to the prior art, the arrangement of both the wireless IC chip and the print code must be in the center to ensure data read / write accuracy, ensure data reliability, and confirm the position of the tube in the rack. It is a problem. If the wireless IC chip and the printed code are not in the center, it is impossible to accurately recognize where the tube is in the rack. This is a limitation that is incompatible with the conclusion of the first problem described above.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example in which the print code and the wireless IC chip are arranged so as to be deviated from each other so as not to overlap.
In the example shown in FIG. 9, a print code 30 such as a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code is printed on one side on the surface of the microtube 20, and the wireless IC chip 40 is arranged and embedded.
FIG. 9B is a diagram showing a state viewed from the bottom. A part of the rack is illustrated, and a plurality of microtubes 20 are arranged in a matrix. Here, as shown in FIG. 9B, the storage state of the microtube 20 in the rack has various rotation angles in the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis. Generally, it is not performed until the rotation angle in the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis is made uniform.

In the print code recognition process, first, the position of each print code 30 must be specified. In the state shown in FIG. 9B, the interval between adjacent print codes varies greatly, and image processing is performed. It is difficult to cut out the individual print codes 30, and an error may occur in the cutout process.
The same can be said for the wireless IC chip 40. When the position is also specified by the wireless response using the wireless IC chip 40, the interval between the adjacent wireless IC chips 40 varies greatly, and position determination using the wireless IC chip 40 becomes difficult.

The third problem is the limitation of the surface state due to the wireless IC chip.
Some wireless IC chips require that the object material covering the surface of the object be attached to the surface of the object or be embedded in the object to be a translucent material. This is a method that combines image processing and wireless data reading. In order to specify the position of the IC chip, it is necessary to read the mark on the surface of the wireless IC chip and specify the position of the wireless IC chip. is there. When the position of the wireless IC chip is specified by image processing, it is embedded in the center of the bottom surface of the microtube due to the restriction described in the second problem, but the area where the wireless IC chip is embedded also includes its periphery. Since it must be transparent, a printing code cannot be provided. On the other hand, the printing code is also printed at the center of the bottom surface of the microtube due to the restriction described in the second problem, but the printing code cannot be provided because a transparent area is secured.
As described above, while the microtube is miniaturized, the conventional technology cannot meet the demands for printing a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code and mounting a wireless IC chip.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and while the microtube is miniaturized, it is possible to print a two-dimensional code and mount a wireless IC chip, and there is little interference between the two. An object of the present invention is to provide a sample container and a sample container reading system in which reading / writing accuracy and data reliability are ensured.

In order to achieve the above object, a sample storage body of the present invention includes a tube main body that stores a sample, a lid that seals the upper surface opening by being attached to the upper surface opening of the tube main body, and a bottom surface of the tube main body. A sample container having a writing area in which writing information can be written, wherein the writing area is set at a peripheral portion of the bottom surface of the tube body, and the writing information is stored in a central portion of the bottom surface of the tube body. A non-write area that is not written is set.

Here, if the outer size of the print code is a small size that can be written in the peripheral writing area, a plurality of independent print codes can be printed in the peripheral writing area. Note that the amount of information that can be carried by one print code can be carried only by an information amount that is smaller than the information amount of the write information that is applied to the sample container, depending on the outer size of the print code. Here, if the writing information to be carried on the sample container can be expressed by a combination of the respective code information carried on the plurality of printing codes, a plurality of printing codes with a small amount of information can be printed. be able to. In other words, if the result obtained by a predetermined algorithm using each piece of code information carried on the print code is equivalent to the writing information given to the sample container, a plurality of small print codes should be used. Thus, it is possible to handle a large amount of written information.

For example, a general-purpose two-dimensional code is adopted as a print code, and it is expressed by a combination of small print codes that are independent of each other even if the amount of information is small. That is, a plurality of small print codes having a small amount of information that can be carried are combined, and each small print code is scattered in the writing area for printing.
Here, all the small-sized printing codes can be the same type of two-dimensional code, or a combination of different types of two-dimensional codes.

When a plurality of small print codes are distributed and printed in a non-writing area, and a large number of microtubes are arranged in a rack and imaged from below to process the image, which print code combination is one microcode. It is necessary to determine whether it is dispersed on the bottom of the tube. Therefore, in addition to each print code, a check print code is added and printed in a writing area,
This is given to the sample container by confirming the grouping of the distributed print codes and obtaining the result by a predetermined algorithm based on the code information carried on each of the multiple print codes whose groupings have been confirmed. It is preferable to be able to read the written information.

The bottom shape of the microtube can be various. Further, there are various kinds of print codes, such as QR codes and data matrices, even if only two-dimensional codes are used.
The first pattern is a two-dimensional dot code pattern in which the bottom shape is circular and the print shape of the print code is a general purpose.
In the case of this first pattern, it is preferable that a plurality of general-purpose two-dimensional dot codes can be written radially from the center of the bottom surface to the writing area on the bottom surface.

In the second pattern, the bottom surface shape is a polygon, the writing area is arranged at the corner of the bottom surface, and the print shape of the print code is a general-purpose two-dimensional dot code pattern.
In the case of this second pattern, it is preferable that a plurality of general-purpose two-dimensional dot codes can be written to the writing area at the corner of the bottom surface.

The non-writing area at the center of the bottom surface of the tube body can have various functions.
For example, an IC chip that can be accessed from the outside is buried under or attached to the surface of the non-writing area to provide a data input / output function using the IC chip.
With the above configuration, the wireless IC chip can be disposed on the bottom surface of the tube body without interfering with the position where the wireless IC chip is disposed and the printing position of the print code. Both can be used together.

It is also possible to provide a function for observing the sample inside the sample container using the non-writing area.
If the non-writing area is transparent and the position corresponding to the non-writing area at the center of the bottom of the lid is transparent, a light irradiation device is provided either above or below the bottom and receiving light on the other If the observation is performed with the configuration provided with the apparatus, the state of the internal sample can be observed by receiving the light irradiated from the light irradiation apparatus with the light receiving apparatus.

There may be a plurality of methods for manufacturing the non-writing area as a transparent area and making the writing area colorable.
First, using a two-color molding apparatus, at least a non-writing area of the tube body is formed of a translucent material, and the writing area is formed of a colored material containing a color former, thereby enabling printing of a print code. It is a method to make as follows.
Secondly, the entire tube body is integrally formed of a translucent material with a molding device, and then a colored material containing a color former is applied to or printed on the writing area so that a print code can be printed. It is a method of manufacturing.
In any method, the non-writing area can ensure translucency, while the writing area can ensure the writing of the printing code by laser coloring.

Next, the sample storage body automatic processing system according to the present invention is a system for reading out information carried on the sample storage body according to the present invention described above, an imaging means for imaging the sample storage body from the bottom surface, and imaging. Image recognition means for reading the print code included in the photographed image from the image data photographed by the means, and grouping processing for searching and grouping those that satisfy the check result from those adjacent to the result recognized by the image recognition means Means, a code information calculation means for calculating the code information given to the sample container by combining the information carried on the plurality of print codes grouped by the grouping processing means, and the wireless IC chip to the wireless IC chip It is equipped with a wireless communication means for reading out information carried therein.

According to the sample storage body according to the present invention, in the sample storage body to be reduced in size, the writing information given to the sample storage body is not a print code having a large outer size according to the amount of information but a combination of small print codes. While writing and having the writing area as a periphery, a non-writing area is secured in the central portion, so that writing of a large amount of information can be secured and a non-writing area that does not interfere with the central portion can be secured.
As an application thereof, for example, even if a wireless IC chip is embedded in a non-writing area, both can be arranged on the bottom surface of the tube body without interfering with the printing position of the printing code. It is possible to diversify the means for accessing the information stored in the sample storage body so as to enable reading by printing a printed code and reading by wireless communication of a wireless IC chip.
Further, if the non-writing area has translucency, the inside of the sample with the non-writing area as a window can be observed.
In addition, according to the sample container automatic system, a large number of print codes can be accurately grouped from a photographed image taken at a time from the bottom surface in a state where a large number of sample containers are stored in a rack. Write information can be obtained by a predetermined algorithm from a combination of code information carried by the code, and necessary information can be read out. Furthermore, necessary carrier information can be read from the wireless IC chip by the wireless communication means.

It is a figure which shows simply the structure of the sample storage body 100 of this invention concerning a 1st pattern. The bottom surface of the first pattern is enlarged, and the non-writing area 124, the writing area 125, the printing code 130, and the wireless IC chip 140 are illustrated in an easy-to-understand manner. The image which image | photographed the bottom face of the many sample storage bodies 100 arranged in the rack is shown simply. It is a figure which shows simply the structure of the sample storage body 100a of this invention concerning a 2nd pattern. The image which image | photographed the bottom face of the sample storage body 100a arranged in large numbers in the rack is shown simply. It is the bottom view which showed centering on the bottom face 123 of the tube main body 120 concerning a two-color molding. It is a figure which shows simply the structure of the sample container 100c of this invention concerning Example 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure when the arrangement | positioning of both is dared to overlap in the center explaining the conventional subject. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure which has arrange | positioned both mutually offset so that the arrangement | positioning of a printing code and a radio | wireless IC chip may not overlap, explaining the conventional subject. It is the figure which showed the structural example (Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2001-158450) of the microtube on which the conventional code information was printed. This is an example of a microtube (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-215078) equipped with a conventional wireless IC chip such as RFID.

Embodiments of the sample storage body of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, it goes without saying that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific application, shape, number, etc. shown in the following examples.
Examples 1 to 4 will be described in the following order.
Example 1 shows a configuration example of the first pattern. The first pattern is a two-dimensional dot code pattern in which the bottom shape is circular and the print shape of the print code is a general purpose. Note that a wireless IC chip is embedded in the non-write area.
Example 2 shows a configuration example of the second pattern. The second pattern has a polygonal shape (for example, a quadrangle) as the bottom surface shape, and the print shape of the print code is a general-purpose two-dimensional dot code pattern. Note that a wireless IC chip is embedded in the non-write area. In addition, design examples on other bottom surfaces are also shown.
The third embodiment shows a configuration example in which the inner part can be transmitted using the central portion in the configuration in which the wireless IC chip is not provided in the non-writing area.

A sample container according to Example 1 of the present invention will be described.
Example 1 shows a configuration example of the first pattern. The first pattern is a two-dimensional dot code pattern in which the bottom shape is circular and the print shape of the print code is a general purpose.
In this configuration example, the tube main body is manufactured by two-color molding, but is not limited to two-color molding. Note that a wireless IC chip is embedded in the non-write area.

FIG. 1 is a diagram simply showing the structure of a sample container 100 according to the present invention according to a first pattern. In this configuration example, an external screw type is used, but an internal screw type may be used. In the present invention, since the bottom surface of the sample storage body 100 is important, it is shown at the center of the bottom surface.
FIG. 1A is a perspective view. It is the perspective view which emphasized the bottom.
FIG. 1B is a development view.
FIG. 2 shows the non-write area 124, the write area 125, the print code 130, and the wireless IC chip 140 in an easy-to-understand manner by enlarging the bottom surface.

The sample container 100 includes a lid 110, a tube main body 120, a printing code 130, and a wireless IC chip 140.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lid 110 has a lid structure that opens and closes an opening on the upper surface of the tube main body 120. In this configuration example, the lid 110 is attached to the tube main body 120 by screwing.
The material of the lid 110 is preferably a plastic resin having chemical resistance.
The lid 110 is an example of a substantially cylindrical shape in this configuration example.
A suitable material for the lid 110 is plastic having high chemical resistance (eg, polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, etc.). A material obtained by selecting and blending a plurality of materials may be used as a raw material. In this embodiment, polypropylene is used. Polypropylene is a chemically stable material, has high chemical resistance, and is a suitable material as one member of the sample container.

Next, the tube main body 120 will be described.
The tube main body 120 is a storage container that stores a sample therein. Any container having a writing area on the bottom may be used, and other elements are not particularly limited in the present invention.
The configuration example illustrated in FIG. 1 is a configuration example including an inner cylinder 121 that stores a sample, an exterior body 122, a bottom surface 123, a non-writing area 124, a writing area 125, and a packing 126.
The height of the tube body 120 is preferably higher than the height of the lattice frame of the storage rack when stored in the storage rack. Since the sample storage body 100 is repeatedly stored and taken out from the storage rack, if the tube body 120 is held in a state of protruding from the upper end of the lattice frame, it can be easily accessed by the robot arm.

The inner cylinder 121 is a test tubular container for storing a sample.
The inner cylinder 121 is formed of a translucent material for observing the inside.
The material of the inner cylinder 121 is preferably glass or plastic resin which is a transparent or translucent material in order to visually check the storage state of the sample sealed inside. The plastic resin may be plastic with high chemical resistance (for example, polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, etc.). A material obtained by selecting and blending a plurality of materials may be used as a raw material. In this embodiment, the transparent plastic material is polypropylene. Polypropylene is a chemically stable material, has high chemical resistance and high transparency, and is a suitable material as one member of the sample container.

The exterior body 122 is mounted around the inner cylinder 121 so that the inner cylinder 121 is accommodated therein.
In this configuration example, the exterior body 122 is black because a coder that prints white color by a laser is kneaded in order to print code information on a part of the side surface and the bottom surface.

In this configuration example, the exterior body 122 has a simple cylindrical shape, but an attachment structure may be provided in accordance with the application. As an example, a configuration may be provided that includes an anti-rotation body that abuts against a structure in the rack on the side surface or bottom surface of the exterior body 122 to prevent rotation. For example, there is a configuration in which a plurality of blade-like protrusions are provided radially near the bottom surface. If a plurality of blade-shaped protrusions are also provided near the bottom of the rack, even when the tube body is housed in the rack, both abut each other and rotational torque is applied to the tube body 120 in the horizontal direction. The tube body is prevented from rotating. If the tube main body 120 can be prevented from rotating, even when accessed by an automatic machine, the tube main body 120 itself will not run idle even if a rotational torque is transmitted to the tube main body 120, and the work by the automatic machine can be performed reliably. There is.

Next, the bottom surface 123 will be described.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the bottom surface 123.
The bottom surface 123 is a component that seals the bottom surface of the exterior body 122. In this example, as shown in FIG. 1, the bottom surface has a disk shape as the first pattern.
The bottom surface 123 has a configuration in which a non-writing area 124 is provided in the center and a writing area 125 is provided so as to surround the periphery.

The non-writing area 124 is an area where no print code is written. In this configuration example, the wireless IC chip 140 is buried under the surface.
In this configuration example, the non-write area 125 is transparent so that the wireless IC chip 140 embedded therein can be seen. Note that when the wireless IC chip 140 does not need to be seen, the entire bottom surface 123 can be colored in black or the like.

A writing area 125 is provided on the outer periphery of the non-writing area 124. In the writing area 125, a black-colored kneading agent for white is kneaded, and a plurality of printing codes 130 colored in white are printed. In this configuration example, the print code 130 is scattered in the writing area 125 and printed.

The print code 130 is a printed figure carrying code information such as a two-dimensional dot code. In the present invention, the information amount of the code information carried by the print code 130 is smaller than the information amount of the writing information given to the sample container 100, and a plurality of pieces of code information are processed by a predetermined algorithm. It is possible to reproduce written information with a large amount of information. For example, assuming that the amount of write information is 16-bit information, and the outer size required to carry a single 16-bit information amount is R, the print code referred to in the present invention has the amount of information that can be carried. There are no 16 bits, for example only 8 bits. In other words, the print code referred to in the present invention is small in accordance with a small amount of information, and the outer diameter size r is smaller than R. “Small size printing code” here does not mean a “fragment” obtained by physically cutting a large two-dimensional code vertically and horizontally, but it is one that is small in size. It is an independent two-dimensional dot code. That is, the print code of the present invention is small but independent two-dimensional code, and the amount of information that can be carried is small. In other words, the original writing information cannot be reproduced only by the information carried by one print code, but the code information carried by each of the plurality of print codes can be logically calculated by a predetermined algorithm. For example, the original writing information can be reproduced.

For example, if the writing information is 16 bits, for example, and divided into two pieces of 8 bits, a two-dimensional code having a small size capable of carrying 8 bits of information is the “print code” in the present invention. It should be noted that, with only 8-bit information and 8-bit information, it is not possible to determine which is higher and which is lower, and 16-bit information may not be reproduced by simply connecting them. Information on how information is combined to reproduce 16-bit information is also required. There are various logics for dividing one large information amount information into a plurality of pieces and combining the divided information to reproduce the original large information amount information. In the present invention, the present invention is not limited to one specific logic, and presents the technical idea of distributing and reproducing such a large amount of writing information into a plurality of pieces of code information having a small amount of information. It is.

The print code 130 is written radially from the center of the bottom surface to the writing area 125 of the bottom surface 123. In this configuration example, as shown in FIG. 2A, four print codes 130 are printed, each being printed 90 degrees apart from the center.
FIG. 2B is a diagram for explaining the outer size of the print code in the first pattern.
The print code of the first pattern is a general-purpose two-dimensional dot code. Here, DataMatrix will be described as an example of the general-purpose two-dimensional dot code.
The case where the writing information given to one sample container 100 is 12 characters is taken as an example.
The left side of FIG. 2B represents that the four pieces of code information obtained from the two-dimensional print codes 130-1 to 130-4 are calculated by a predetermined algorithm. If the print code has a size of 10 to 10 cells, it has an information amount of 6 characters. If the width per cell is 0.16 mm, the size of the print code is 1.6 cm to 1.6 cm = 2.56 cm 2. It represents that the calculation is performed by a predetermined algorithm based on the information of four 6 characters obtained from the code information.

That is, since the four print codes 130-1 to 130-4 on the left side of FIG. 2B each have an information amount of 6 characters, the 12 characters of write information can be divided and assigned. Here, as an example, the 12 characters of the writing information are divided into 6 characters in the first half and the latter half, the first 6 characters are assigned to the print code 130-1, and the latter 6 characters are assigned to the print code 130-2. .

The roles of the print code 130-3 and the print code 130-4 are to specify the print code 130-1 and the print code 130-2 and to determine four groupings.
For example, as the role of the print code 130-3, information for determining which print code corresponds to the print code 130-1 and which print code corresponds to the print code 130-2 can be provided. For example, if the print code 130-3 is exactly the same as the print code 130-1, the duplicate of the four print codes becomes the print code 130-1, and the other is the print code 130-. As shown in the equal sign of FIG. 2B, information equivalent to 12 characters of writing information can be reproduced with the former being 6 characters in the first half and the latter being 6 characters in the latter half.
For reference, when considering the size of DataMatrix, a general-purpose two-dimensional dot code that can carry all 12 characters, if it is a size consisting of 14 to 14 cells, it can have an information amount of 12 characters. If the width per cell is 0.16 mm, a two-dimensional dot code with an outer diameter of 2.24 cm to 2.24 cm = 2.02 cm 2 can carry an information amount of 12 characters with one print code. . Since the printing code shown in FIG. 2B is 2.56 cm 2, a square area having an area almost doubled is required.

The print code 130-4 is a check code, and has code information such that the calculation result of the four code information of the four print codes 130-1 to 130-4 indicates a specific value such as 0. By providing this check code, a group of four print codes can be specified from a large number of adjacent print codes.
Actually, the sample storage bodies 100 are arranged in a rack. For example, the rack is partitioned by a lattice frame and has a hole in the bottom surface, and stores the sample storage body 100 so as to be hung on an edge near the bottom surface of the lattice frame. Therefore, a large number of print codes 130 are captured adjacent to the image data.

FIG. 3 simply shows an image of the bottom surface of the sample storage bodies 100 arranged in a rack. In the example of FIG. 3, the directions are uniformly aligned. However, since the outer shape of the exterior body 120 is actually circular, the posture in the rack can be various angles. The specific principle of the correct print code 130 combination is applicable.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the camera is photographed from the bottom of the rack, a large number of print codes 130 are arranged. Of these, it is not simply determined mechanically which combination corresponds to one sample container 100. Therefore, it is checked whether or not a specific value such as 0 is shown by arbitrarily extracting and calculating four adjacent print codes.

In the example of FIG. 3, attention is paid to the central one of the print codes 130 illustrated in FIG. 3, and possible combinations with the surrounding print codes 130 are represented. There are four combinations: a combination of dotted lines, a combination of broken lines, a combination of dashed lines, and a combination of solid lines. Among these combinations, a combination for which a check code calculation is established is specified. Here, for example, the calculation result of the print code 130 is not satisfied and the check is not successful in the combination of the dotted line, the combination of the broken line, and the combination of the one-dot chain line, but the calculation of four print codes is satisfied in the combination of the solid line. Shall. Then, it can be specified that the combination of the solid lines is four print codes printed on the bottom surface 123 of one sample storage body 100.
If one combination indicating a specific value such as 0 is determined in the check result, four grouping candidates are determined in the four directions, centering on that combination, and the calculation result indicates a specific value such as 0 in each group. And grouping is confirmed.

Next, the wireless IC chip 140 will be described.
The wireless IC chip 140 is embedded or stuck on the surface of the non-writing area 124 at the center of the sample storage body 100. For example, a general-purpose RFID type wireless IC chip may be used. Since the wireless IC chip 140 is used, information can be read and written without contact.
Since the wireless IC chip 140 is in the non-writing area 124, the print code 130 is not written by laser irradiation, heat generated by laser light irradiation is not directly applied, and damage due to heat does not occur.
The color of the non-writing area 124 is not particularly limited, but is transparent here. Even if the wireless IC chip 140 is embedded in the non-writing area 124, the wireless IC chip 140 can be observed from below the bottom surface 123.

As described above, according to the sample container 100 of the present invention according to the first embodiment, both can be disposed on the bottom surface of the tube main body without interfering with the layout position of the wireless IC chip and the print position of the print code. It is possible to diversify the means for accessing the information stored in the sample storage body so as to enable reading by printing a printed code and reading by wireless communication of a wireless IC chip.
In addition, according to the sample container automatic system, in the state where a large number of sample containers are stored in a rack, it is possible to accurately group a number of print codes that are captured from a captured image taken at a time from the bottom direction. Write information can be calculated and read from a combination of print codes. Furthermore, necessary carrier information can be read from the wireless IC chip by the wireless communication means.

Example 2 shows a configuration example of the second pattern. It is assumed that the wireless IC chip is embedded in the non-writing area.
The second pattern has a polygonal shape (for example, a quadrangle) as the bottom surface shape, and the print shape of the print code is a general-purpose two-dimensional dot code pattern.

FIG. 4 is a diagram simply showing the structure of the sample storage body 100a of the present invention according to the second pattern. In this configuration example, an external screw type is used, but an internal screw type may be used. In the present invention, since the bottom surface of the sample storage body 100a is important, it is shown in the center of the bottom surface.
FIG. 4A is a perspective view. It is the perspective view which emphasized the bottom.
FIG. 4B shows the non-write area 124, the write area 125, the print code 130, and the wireless IC chip 140 in an easy-to-understand manner by enlarging the bottom surface.
In the following, parts different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and description of the same parts may be omitted. The materials and functions are the same, and the shapes of the members are different.

Similar to the first embodiment, the sample storage body 100a according to the second pattern includes the lid 110, the tube main body 120, the printing cord 130, and the wireless IC chip 140, but the bottom surface has a rectangular shape. It has become.
There is a non-writing area 124 in the center of the bottom surface 123, and a writing area 125 is provided around the non-writing area 124, but the print code 130 is printed in the vicinity of the corner of the rectangle. The writing area 125 is a plastic resin material in which a color former is kneaded, and the color is developed by laser irradiation as in the first embodiment.
The non-write area 124 of the second embodiment is provided in the center and is functionally similar to that of the first embodiment.
The write area 125 of the second embodiment is different in shape from the write area 125 of the first embodiment, but is functionally the same.

FIG. 5 simply shows an image of the bottom surface of the sample storage bodies 100a arranged in a large number in the rack. In the example of FIG. 5, the directions are uniformly aligned. However, since the outer shape of the exterior body 120 is actually a square, the sample storage body 100a in the rack is 90 degrees with respect to the central axis. Although various postures can be adopted depending on the rotation angle of the step, the specific principle of the combination of the correct print codes 130 shown below can be applied. Also in this example, four print codes 130 are printed on the bottom surface of one sample container 100, one of which is a check code, and the information carried by the four print codes is calculated. Grouping can be confirmed.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the camera is taken from the bottom of the rack, a large number of print codes 130 are arranged. Of these, it is not simply determined mechanically which combination corresponds to one sample container 100. Therefore, it is checked whether or not a specific value such as 0 is shown by arbitrarily extracting and calculating four adjacent print codes.
In this example as well, as shown in FIG. 5, the combinations of dotted lines, broken lines, and alternate long and short dash lines in FIG. However, for the combination of solid lines, the calculation result of four print codes indicates a specific value such as 0, and it is specified that this combination is four print codes printed on the bottom surface 123 of one sample container 100. It is an example that can.

If one combination indicating a specific value such as 0 is determined in the check result, four grouping candidates are determined in the four directions, centering on that combination, and the calculation result indicates a specific value such as 0 in each group. And grouping is confirmed.
Information reading using the print code 130 and information reading using the wireless IC chip 140 can be executed.

As described above, the principle of the present invention can be applied even if the shape of the bottom surface is not a circle but a polygon, and the print code is a two-dimensional code or a barcode.

Furthermore, various design examples on the bottom surface of the tube body are shown.
FIG. 6 is a bottom view centering on the bottom surface 123 of the tube main body 120 of the sample storage body 100b according to the two-color molding. In addition, illustration of the upper part of the sample storage body 100b is abbreviate | omitted.
In this example, as shown in FIG. 6, a transparent inner cylinder is formed by a two-color molding method with respect to the inside of a black substantially semi-cylindrical exterior body. The bottom surface of the black exterior body has four corners folded back toward the center of the bottom surface to provide a writing area 125. The inner cylinder can be seen directly in the central part of the bottom surface, and this part is a non-writing area 124 in which the wireless IC chip is embedded.

There are various designs of the tube main body for the two-color molding, and the present invention is not limited to these designs, but the two-color molding is written on a part of the bottom surface 123 of the tube main body 120 with a colored material. An area 125 is formed, a plurality of two-dimensional codes are printed in the writing area 125, and the remaining part of the bottom surface of the tube body 120 is formed of the other material of the two-color molding, and a non-writing area 124 is provided. Anything is acceptable.

The third embodiment shows a configuration example in which the inner part can be transmitted using the central portion in the configuration in which the wireless IC chip is not provided in the non-writing area.
Note that the configuration in which the wireless IC chip is not provided in the non-writing area shown in the third embodiment also has various combinations of the shape of the bottom surface of the tube body, the shape of the writing area, and the printing code. For example, there is a configuration in which the wireless IC chip is removed from the first pattern shown in the first embodiment and the second pattern shown in the second embodiment. As an example, the bottom surface shape is a circle, and the printing shape of code information and the printing shape of small division code information indicate a general-purpose two-dimensional dot code pattern.

FIG. 11 is a diagram simply illustrating the structure of the sample storage body 100c according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11A is a bottom view.
FIG. 11B is a plan view.
FIG. 11C is a side view showing the light irradiation device 210 and the light receiving device 220 which are external devices. The scale is smaller than that in FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b).
In the following, parts different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and description of the same parts may be omitted. The materials and functions are the same, and the shapes of the members are different.

Similar to the first embodiment, the sample storage body 100 c includes a lid 110, a tube main body 120, and a printing code 130. In this configuration example, the wireless IC chip 140 is not provided.
There is a non-writing area 124 in the center of the bottom surface 123, and a writing area 125 is provided in the periphery thereof. The writing area 125 is a plastic resin material in which a color former is kneaded, as in the first embodiment, and is similar to the first embodiment in that the color is developed by laser irradiation.

The non-write area 124 of the third embodiment has the same shape as the non-write area 124 of the first embodiment, but the wireless IC chip 140 is not embedded therein. The point that the non-writing area 124 is formed of a translucent material is the same as in the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, since no IC chip is embedded therein, the state of the sample inside can be observed through the non-writing area 124 on the bottom surface 123.

As shown in FIG. 11B, a part of the lid 110 of the sample storage body 100c is a transparent region 111. The position of the transparent region 111 is a position corresponding to the non-writing area 124 at the center of the bottom surface 123. With this configuration, light can pass through in a vertical direction from the transparent region 111 of the lid 110 of the sample storage body 100c to the non-writing area 124 of the bottom surface 123, so that the state of the internal sample can be observed.

As shown in FIG. 11C, the light irradiation device 210 is provided above either the lid 110 or the bottom surface 123, and the light receiving device 220 is provided on the other side. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 11C, the light irradiation device 210 is provided below the bottom surface 123, and the light receiving device 220 is provided below the lid 110.
The light irradiated from the light irradiation device 210 passes through the sample storage body 100d and is received by the light receiving device 220, whereby the state of the sample inside can be observed.
Since the writing area 125 and printing / reading of the print code 130 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here.

As described above, the preferred embodiments in the configuration examples of the sample storage body of the present invention have been illustrated and described, but various modifications can be made without departing from the technical scope of the present invention.

The sample container of the present invention can be widely applied as long as it is a microtube for storing and managing samples.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Sample storage body 110 Cover body 120 Tube main body 121 Inner cylinder 122 Exterior body 123 Bottom surface 124 Non-information writing area 125 Information writing area 126 Packing 130 Print code 140 Wireless IC chip 210 Light irradiation apparatus 220 Light receiving apparatus

Claims

A sample storage body comprising a tube main body for storing a sample, a lid for sealing the upper surface opening of the tube main body, and a writing area for writing write information on the bottom surface of the tube main body,
The sample is characterized in that the writing area is set in a peripheral portion of the bottom surface of the tube body, and a non-writing area in which the writing information is not written is set in a central portion of the bottom surface of the tube body. Storage body.
A plurality of the information printing codes are distributed and printed in the peripheral writing area,
Each of the information printing codes has an outer shape corresponding to the size of the writing area, and each of them can be read independently.
The code information carried on each of the information print codes is read out, and the result obtained by using a predetermined algorithm from the plurality of code information is given as information given to the sample container. The sample container according to claim 1, wherein the sample container is damped.
3. The sample container according to claim 2, wherein an IC chip accessible from outside is embedded under the surface or affixed to the surface of the non-writing area at the center of the bottom surface.
It is assumed that at least one of the plurality of print codes carries check information, and is distributed by a combination of information carried on the print code and information carried on the check print code. A group of the print codes is recognized, and a result of the predetermined algorithm is obtained based on each of the code information carried by the plurality of print codes related to the grouping. The sample storage body according to claim 2 or 3, wherein reading of the given writing information is possible.
The bottom shape is circular;
The printing shape of the printing code is a general-purpose two-dimensional dot code,
The sample container according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the printing code can be written radially from the center of the bottom surface with respect to the writing area on the bottom surface.
The bottom shape is a polygon;
The printing shape of the printing code is a general-purpose two-dimensional dot code,
5. The sample container according to claim 2, wherein the print code can be written to the writing area at the corner of the bottom surface with respect to the writing area of the bottom surface.
The non-writing area is transparent,
The position corresponding to the non-writing area at the center of the bottom surface of the lid is transparent,
The light irradiation device is provided on either the upper side or the lower side of the lid, and the light receiving device is provided on the other side. By receiving the light emitted from the light irradiation device with the light receiving device, The sample container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the state can be observed.
By using a two-color molding device, at least the non-writing area of the tube body is formed of a light-transmitting material, and the writing area is formed of a colored material containing a colorant to enable printing of the printing code. The sample container according to claim 7.
The entire tube main body is integrally formed of a translucent material by a molding apparatus, and the printing code can be printed by applying or printing the colored area containing a color former on the writing area. Item 8. The sample container according to Item 7.
A sample container automatic processing system for reading information carried on the sample container according to claim 3,
Imaging means for imaging the sample container from the bottom direction;
Image recognition means for reading the print code included in the photographed image from the image data photographed by the photographing means;
Grouping processing means for searching for and grouping the results of the check that are established from those adjacent to each other from the results recognized by the image recognition means;
Code information calculation means for calculating code information given to the sample storage body by combining information carried on the plurality of print codes grouped by the grouping processing means;
An automatic sample container processing system comprising wireless communication means for reading information carried in the wireless IC chip from the wireless IC chip.